Wendy Murphy: And Justice for Some: James Brown deserved no tribute’

Friday

A prestigious institution like the Museum of Fine Arts should never have affiliated itself with an event designed to honor a man who was chronically violent toward women.

On August 20, the Museum of Fine Arts did a very dumb thing. It hosted a concert to celebrate the artistry of musician James Brown. A prestigious institution like the MFA should never have affiliated itself with an event designed to honor a man who was chronically violent toward women.

Naysayers will argue that there’s a difference between the man and his music. Maybe. But it’s also true that the MFA can choose not to celebrate certain artists, such as those who have caused serious harm to society. If Hitler had been a great sculptor, I hardly think the MFA would be hosting a party in the guy’s name – though they might well choose to have some of his work on display, and I would defend their right to do so.

The simple point is, there are lots of good reasons to feel good about James Brown’s music, while refusing to celebrate him as a man. No prolific perpetrator of domestic violence – no matter how talented – should be the recipient of public adulation. Interpersonal violence is too serious a public ill to ignore or dismiss as “not relevant” to the greatness of a man (or woman).

Domestic violence is so harmful to society, Gov. Deval Patrick recently issued a public health alert announcing that the rate of domestic violence deaths in Massachusetts has tripled over the past 3 years. Such a serious threat to the well-being of communities, families, women and children should be of concern to all people and organizations across the state.

A more thoughtful board at the MFA would have understood the seriousness of this public health concern and recoiled at the suggestion that Mr. Brown be honored in a state where women are being killed at such an alarming rate.

James Brown reportedly abused two of his wives, and was sued for sexual harassment by two women who worked for him. He was charged with assault with intent to kill after being accused of battering his third wife at least three times during their marriage and was sent to jail for beating his fourth wife. These are only the publicly reported incidents.

Maybe the MFA chose to ignore Brown’s abuse history because it was less embarrassing to turn a blind eye to his past, and they figured nobody would care. This was a good gamble. The celebration went off without a hitch and not a single protester showed up.

Even the battered women’s advocates stayed silent, though they complain all the time that silence about domestic violence is precisely why so many women are being killed in their own homes.

What’s with the hypocrisy? Is it because Brown is brown? Famous? Since when does who a batterer is justify silence on the part of women’s advocates.

Maybe a call to the National Organization for Women will explain things. After all – they fight in court all the time to protect women from sexual harassment, but when Bill Clinton was having his reprehensible dalliances with an intern named Monica Lewinsky, NOW said absolutely nothing.

But even if the MFA could predict there would be no protesters, standing up against domestic violence should not depend on whether the political winds are blowing in a certain direction. Violence in the home is wrong even if nobody’s looking and nobody cares, just as slavery was wrong even when it was allowed by law.

The MFA needs to atone for celebrating James Brown. Maybe they could sponsor an exhibit of different types of art with an anti-violence theme, and include a discussion of domestic violence with a panel of experts who could talk about how important it is to recognize that battering crosses all ethnic, racial and class lines.

Lynne Stevens, an MFA member and the director of a domestic violence program at the Boston University School of Medicine, contacted the MFA before the event and suggested that they educate the audience about domestic violence. The MFA’s response did not reference this suggestion or even acknowledge Brown’s perpetration of violence.

The MFA could even donate profits from the event to victims and service providers, thus giving back to the community in a way that acknowledges the multiple ways that art can help society heal from, and even prevent violence.

The MFA has a responsibility to take some restorative steps in the aftermath of a tribute for a man who did not deserve to be honored no matter how great his music. Women in Massachusetts and across the nation need to be better protected and better respected, which begins with making sure batterers are not celebrated.

Wendy Murphy is a leading victims rights advocate and nationally recognized television legal analyst. She is an adjunct professor at New England School of Law and radio talk show host. She can be reached at wmurphy@faculty.nesl.edu

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